VISA Information

All foreign nationals entering India are required to possess a valid international travel document in the form of a national passport with a valid visa obtained from an Indian Mission. The Indian visa is issued under Government of India’s Foreigners Act. All Individual visa seekers are requested to apply for the Indian Visa through online application link http://www.indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/. (From July 16, 2012 hand written visa application forms are not accepted by the High Commission of India for issuance of visa.)

It has come to the notice of the High Commission that various websites which are not authorized by the Government of India have been soliciting visa seekers to apply for Indian visa through their online portal against a service fee.

While applying for visa, please note that no fee is charged for filling the form or taking print-outs, visa seekers will have to pay necessary visa fee and service charge to only the authorized Outsource Service Providers (OSP) while submitting the print-out of the online visa form at the OSP’s offices, in case of Malaysia, the authorized OSP for Indian visa are the following:

For guidelines/procedure for uploading of photos for online visa application pleaseclick here.

Non–Malaysian Foreign Visa applicants are required to submit an additional form along with the online visa application printout. For the additional form please click here.

Visa applicants are required to complete all fields in the online visa application form correctly and accurately. Incorrect/ incomplete applications are liable to be rejected. After completing and submitting successfully the online visa application form, the printout of the form along with prescribed support documents and fees is to be submitted at one of the Indian Visa Application Center (IVAC) approved by the High Commission at following address;

Visa application printout is required to be signed by the applicant himself/ herself.

The validity of Indian visa starts from the date of issue and not from the date of travel to India. Therefore applicants are required to apply for appropriate validity visa.

IVAC Operating hours:

Submission of Visa Applications – 9am to 2pm (Monday to Friday).

Time of Collection – 4:00 pm to 6:00pm

IVACs are closed on Saturday and Sunday and public holidays observed by the High Commission of India.

Visa Application Processing Period:

Malaysian Nationals: Ordinarily 3 working days

Non- Malaysian nationals: At least 5 working days for visa approval by the High Commission and 3 working days for visa stamping.

Following optional Value Added Services (VAS) are provided by the IVAC

Sl.No.

Value Added Services

Fees (RM)

1.

Photo copying

0.50

2.

Text messages

2.00

3.

Form filling

20.00

4.

Photo booth

20.00

5.

Courier service

20.00

Please note: An additional 6% GST will be charged on the Valued Added Services mentioned above

The High Commission of India does not accept visa applications at its premises, except those requesting for grant of (i) Gratis visas to Non–Malaysian Foreign Visa applicants holding official and diplomatic passports. (Malaysian nationals holding official and diplomatic passports are exempted from requirement of visa.) (ii) Gratis visas for the invitees from the Government of India/State Government bodies and (iii) Issuing of visas on Emergency basis. Those requesting for grant of gratis visas on official and diplomatic passports and on emergency basis are requested to apply for the Indian Visa through online application link. For the additional form please clickhere. After completing and submitting successfully the online visa application form, the printout of the form along with prescribed support documents is to be submitted at ;

Gratis Visa:Gratis visa to be issued to nationals of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Jamaica, Maldives, Mauritius, Mongolia and South Africa. In respect of Seychelles nationals, all types of visas except for work/employment may be issued on gratis basis.

Only Business, Tourist and Transit visas are to be issued on gratis basis to the nationals of Argentina. Only Tourist visas are to be issued on gratis basis to the nationals of Uruguay. Normal visa fee is applicable for all other type of visas in respect of these nationals.

Visa Free Countries: Nationals of Nepal and Bhutan do not require visa to enter India. However, Nepali nationals require visa if they enter India from China, which is to be granted Gratis.

Visa Fee for Pakistani Nationals: Pakistani nationals to be charged fee of Rs. 100 for an Indian visa of all types.

Restricted/Protected Area Permit:RM 135 +13 for issuing restricted/protected area permit. No fees for the nationals of those being given gratis visa, Nepal, Bhutan and Pakistani nationals.

Gratis Business & Employment Visas for LDC Applicants: Business & Employment Visas (where applicable) to the applicants from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to be issued on gratis basis. However, the service of the outsourcing company, wherever applicable, and the ICWF fee will continue to be charged from the business and employment visa applicants as well. A list of 48 LDCs at Table IX.

Special Visa Fee Categories:

Singaporean Nationals: The charges for Tourist visa (Multiple entry) and valid up to six months in respect of Singapore nationals will be RM 112+13. However, fee for all other types of visas will be same as applicable for Table I.

Japanese Nationals: A fee of RM 5+13 for transit visa and RM 36 +13 for all other types of visa to be charged.

Nigerian Nationals: A uniform fee of RM 1120 +RM 13 to be charged for all types of visas valid for any duration from the nationals of Nigeria.

USA Nationals : A fee of RM 448+13 to be charged for Tourist visa only for the maximum period up to 10 years Fee for 10 years validity Business visa issued to US nationals will be RM 1120 +13 as well as for 5 years. However, fee for all other types of visas will be same as applicable for other countries mentioned at Table I above. Visa application fee of RM 90+13 should be charged from US nationals in addition to visa fee, except for tourist visa which is inclusive of Visa application fees.

Eligibility Conditions and Supporting Documents for Different Visa Categories:

All visa applications should be accompanied by copy of personal particular page of the passport. Non-Malaysian applicants are required to submit copy of their last two years of Malaysian employment pass or visit pass or dependent pass while applying for visas.

FILM VISA:

Foreigners or a foreign team for shooting of feature film or television/cinema and reality TV show/commercial TV show/ commercial TV serials.Proposals regarding the shooting of a feature film or television/ cinema and reality TV show/ commercial TV serials will be processed in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, who will process the request and take decision within a specific time frame of maximum period of 60 days.

Important:

Foreigners being given Film Visa should adhere to the norms and regulations of foreigner’s guidelines during their stay in the country and visit only the areas permitted for their visit. They should not visit any restricted/ protected area or prohibited place without prior permission of the competent authority.

Money transaction for shooting of film should be done as per RBI guidelines.

The visa would be project specific i.e. film specific.

The international cast and crew coming to India on a Film Visa for the film shoot shall be employed by the Foreign Company seeking permission to shoot the film in India and the said company shall take the responsibility for the cast and crew coming to India for filming. The foreigners coming on Film Visa will have to register himself/ herself with the FRRO/ FRO concerned irrespective of the duration of the Film Visa/ stay of the foreigner in India.

Considering the fact that the cast and crew may be coming from a country which is not the same as that of the Foreign Production Company which is producing the film, the Indian Mission/Post of that respective country will issue the Film Visa to the concerned person.

For shooting of documentary film/ advertisement film in India by a foreigner, the procedure for "Journalist Visa" will be applicable.

Duration of visaUp to one year

Intern Visa:

A foreigner intending to pursue internship in Indian companies, Educational Institutions and NGOs.

The intern visa will be granted after completion of graduation/ post graduation. The gap between the completion of graduation/ post graduation and the commencement of the internship should not exceed one year.

Intern visa will not be issued for internship in certain strategic sectors.

Conversion of the Intern visa into Employment visa or any other types of visa will not be permitted.

Earnings from internship of the foreign nationals with Indian companies/ Educational Institutions/ NGOs will be subject to the Indian Income Tax Regulations.

Duration of visa

The period of visa would be restricted to the duration of the internship programme or one year, whichever is less.

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Tourist Visa:

Tourist Visa is granted to a Foreigner who does not have a residence or occupation in India and whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, sight-seeing, casual visit to meet friends and relatives. No other activity is permissible on a Tourist Visa. The Mission would be issuing six months validity multiple entry Tourist visa for eligible visa applicants including Malaysian nationals. The Tourist visa will be issued with the conditions that “each stay should not exceed 45 days”. The Tourist Visa is non-extendable and non-convertible. Applicant should submit 2 colour photographs (Size 2” X 2”) with white background,Malaysian identity card (photo copy ) , flight ticket ( photo copy) ,application form duly filled and original passport.

Business Visa:

The Business Visa is granted to a foreign national who wants to visit India to establish an industrial/business venture or to explore possibilities to set up industrial/business venture, wants to purchase/sell industrial products in India. The applicant should be a person of assured financial standing and has the expertise in the field of the intended business. It is not granted for petty trading. For more information on Business visa click on thelink

The Business Visa must be issued from the country of origin, or from the country of domicile of the foreigner, provided the period of permanent residence of that applicant in that particular country is for more than two years. Documents required for Business Visa: Local company letter and company registration, Invitation letter from India and the company registration along with forms, two colour photos in white background ( Size 2” X 2”),Malaysian identity card (photo copy ) , flight ticket ( photo copy).

Entry Visa is granted to person’s spouses and dependent family members of a foreign national coming to India on long term visas like Employment and Research etc. It is also granted to Persons of Indian Origin, his/her spouse and dependent children subject to production of proof of the PIO status, marriage certificate (in respect of spouse) and birth certificate (in respect of children). Spouses of an OCI/PIO card holders and dependent children can also apply for Entry Visa subject to production of necessary proof.Malaysian identity card (photo copy ) , flight ticket ( photo copy)

Supporting documents:

For those married to Indian nationals, Original Indian Passport of Spouse along with a photocopy, marriage certificate and photocopy. For children of either parent being an Indian passport holder, children’s birth certificate, one of the parents’ Indian passport original and photocopy.Two colour photos in white background ( Size 2” X 2”),Malaysian identity card (photo copy ) , flight ticket ( photo copy) .

Employment Visa:

The Employment visa is granted to foreigners desiring to come to India for the purpose of employment. The applicant should be a skilled and qualified professional or person who is being engaged or appointed by a company, organization, industry or undertaking, etc. in India on contract or employment basis at a senior level, skilled position such as technical expert, senior executive, or in a managerial position. For more information on Employment visa click on thelink

The Employment Visa must be issued from the country of origin, or from the country of domicile of the foreigner, provided the period of permanent residence of that applicant in that particular country is for more than two years. Employment contract for the company in which they will be working, Indian company registration, academic certificate, application forms. Two colour photos in white background ( Size 2” X 2”),Malaysian identity card (photo copy ) , flight ticket ( photo copy) .

Journalist Visa

ALL foreign journalists, regardless of the purpose of their visit, should apply for a "J" (journalist) visa, for up to three months' stay in India. "Journalists" for this purpose would include a professional journalist, columnist, cartoonist, editor, photographer, film producer or director (other than that of commercial films), a representative of a radio and/or television organization, travel writer/travel promotion photographer etc or any professional journalist/owner working for an association or a company engaged in the production or broadcast of audio visual news or current affairs programmes through the print, electronic or any other electronic form. All such applicants are required to apply along with a letter from their organization describing clearly the job title of the applicant and the nature of their work and whether they are travelling on work or as tourists.Malaysian identity card (photo copy ) , flight ticket ( photo copy) .

Foreign journalists seeking to work in Indian media organizations

Journalists or intern journalists who intend to travel to India to work in Indian media organizations should apply for Employment ‘E’ visas.

Foreign media assigned to India/to be based in India on long /permanent assignments

Correspondents/Journalists of foreign newspapers, news agencies, going to India as resident representatives should apply for a single entry ‘J’ visa valid for initial stay of three months in India. A letter from the organization which the applicant is going to represent should also be provided clearly stating the status of the applicant (whether permanent full time employee or not) and name of the person whom the applicant is going to replace in India office of the organization. Such a journalist is required to contact OSD(PR)/XP division in the Ministry of External Affairs upon first arrival in India. No change of employer is permitted while the journalist is still in India. In case the foreign journalist intends to change his/her employer, he/she is required to return to the country of origin and re-apply for issue of fresh "J" visa.

Visa application for Journalism courses:

Applications for full time courses in journalism in educational institutes/universities recognized by Government of India should apply for student visas.

Documentary related work

Prior authorization of the Indian Government is mandatory for any audiovisual reporting/ shooting of documentary films in India, regardless of their subject, category or duration.

NOTE:Visa fee once paid isnon-refundableirrespective of the outcome of the visa application and duration granted. The validity of the visa begins from the date of issue by the High Commission of India and not from the date of travel on your application form.

Transit Visa:

To produce confirmed air ticket for onward journey along with form and two colour photos in white background (Size 2” X 2”).

The Mission would be issuing six months validity multiple entry Tourist visa for eligible visa applicants including Malaysian nationals. The Tourist visa will be issued with the conditions that “each stay should not exceed 45 days”.

Non-Malaysian Foreigners have to produce copy of Passport, including the Malaysian visa page proving two years continuous residency in Malaysia along with the application.

The validity of Indian visa starts from the date of issue and not from the date of travel to India.

Applicants should apply for appropriate category of visa. Tourist visa holders found to be travelling for other purposes such as business, study or medical treatment are liable to be cancelled.

If you have any specific questions related to Visa services, please click here.